Monday, December 16, 2013

On the 8th Day of Christmas....

Today is my day and I am SUPER EXCITED!!!

On the 8th day of Christmas Crayons & Cuties In Kindergarten gave to me...

My 3 year old son is SUPER excited about the release of 'Walking With Dinosaurs!' I have seen the trailer a BILLION times and I nearly have it on 'speed dial' via UTube! It comes out on December 20th and each morning he asks 'Is it December 20th?' Now, most kids are asking about Christmas- not my dino-loving pterodactyl! So, it got me thinking- there have to be a ton of other kids out there that are just as excited! So I made up a dinosaur foldable reader that little ones can actually read! This one comes tested and approved by my son!

Working on 'informational text'? Want to show kids how to look back into a book to find the answers to questions? This pack has you all set! Book comes in both color and black and white (use in your reading group and then send a copy home!) and with a comprehension activity! Simple, repetitive text and pictures that match the words, support early emergent readers to read a book about dinosaurs that is typically way above their reading level!

Want to win my #1 Seller and find the link to the freebie? Keep reading...

But first here's my answers to the 12 Holiday Questions so that you can get to know me a bit better!

1. What's your favorite Holiday song?

I love all of the 'classic' songs that I grew up singing and have so many fond memories attached to so many of the songs, but there is something sweet and touching about Canon- Transiberian Orchestra that just touches my heart and allows me to step back and enjoy the season- rather than the hustle and bustle that is so easy to get wrapped up in! I get a tear in my eye each time I hear it.

2. What's your favorite holiday memory?

I am fortunate to come from a family where making memories is a priority! Picking one is so hard! I hope my 2 boys have the same dilemma one day! I am going to go with what I believe was extremely clever on my parents behalf! Every Christmas Eve we would lay a white towel on the hearth of the fireplace. On Christmas morning my Dad would go down first and 'check' to see if Santa had arrived. We would race downstairs and on the towel would be 2 soot footprints which signaled he had been there! I never put 2 & 2 together that the 'tread' marks so oddly resembled that of my Dad's work boots! I have to say I was most heart broken the year we no longer saw the footprints-Christmas just didn't feel the same!3. What's your favorite holiday indulgence?

As nearly the entire world runs from fruitcake, I look forward to it- BUT only my Mom's! Her recipe is full of dried/candied fruit (cherries in red and green and pineapple), pecans, dates and figs! There is really no 'cake' to it at all! It is a solid 5-7lb brick! She cooks it in a loaf pan that is lined with brown paper bag that has been rubbed with butter. Dipped in hot coffee, it is even more scrumptious! I would love to give the recipe, but it is under lock and key- even I can't get a hold of a copy!

4. What's your favorite holiday food?
My favorite holiday food is breakfast! We make either pumpkin pancakes or eggnog french toast! I could eat breakfast for all three meals! I feel bad because the expensive dinner (prime rib) is 'wasted' on me- I really don't get the 'fuss' about it!

5. What's your favorite holiday craft?

I love making these ornaments with my students- and I recently ran into a mom of a now 9th grader (eeek!) that said that ornament is still her favorite gift! It can be completed with students that don't celebrate Christmas, as well, because it is a 'winter scene' too!
Simply...paint the child's hand white and have him/her 'grasp' the ornament. Hang to dry. Using paint markers and/or Sharpie markers, have him/her write the year and add details to each finger so that it turns into a snowman (button eyes/mouth, carrot nose, hat, scarf, arms, buttons). Attach a simple ribbon and a fun poem and you are all set to go! I wrap them in a brown paper bag we have transformed into a reindeer. We have an annual Kindergarten Sing and Craft party and I like to distribute these at the party so that I know they will make it home in one piece! One year I was able to find them in plastic- but the blue ones are surely a task to find! This year my local hardware store stocked them- hooray for small town businesses!

6. What's your favorite holiday tradition?

Oh there are so many to choose- I have traditions I remember with fond memories as a kid and then those that I am starting with my own two boys! We live only 1700 feet from the water on Long Island- a 7min walking distance from doorstep to sand! My boys LIVE on the beach all summer- and sometimes fall, winter and spring- long! I love seeing their footprints in the sand...so we make 'sandy feet!' Each summer we made them and each Christmas we hang them on the tree- and oh have they grown! Here are our sandy feet ornaments:

So now I always have those little footprints saved...because I know one year their feet will be too big to capture!

Want to make your own? Very easy! Simply 'borrow' some sand from the beach and pour it in a pan. You may want to wet it a TAD so that the print stays in place (but not real wet!). Have your child step in the pan and make a print. (SLOWLY) Pour plaster of paris into the footprint and let it harden. (Put string in before it hardens if you want it to be an ornament- as it gets 'tacky' you can use a toothpick to write name/year) Once dry, pull it out and use a toothbrush to remove excess sand (especially between the toes!). Store them wrapped in tissue paper!

7. What's your favorite holiday movie?

Considering every family vacation I ever went on was referred to as a 'Griswold Adventure' it is only fitting that this is also one of my favorite holiday movies! I can watch it over and over and still laugh each time as if it is the first time I am seeing it!

8. What do you get your class for a holiday gift?

The typical gift is a book from Scholastic with a candy cane. I attach this little poem that the candy cane is to be used as a pointer for reading and then for snacking! Some years I attach a pencil instead. I also leave them little treats throughout the season- but credit is given to our class elf for those! Click the hyperlink to grab the poem- one set for kindergarten and one that is not grade specific!

9. What's your favorite holiday thing to teach?

I like teaching about all the different 'winter holidays!' It's the first time a lot of them have heard about other holidays and it captures their attention! I also LOVE teaching them Christmas songs for our annual holiday concert!

10. What's your favorite holiday book?

Oh gosh...to pick just one! I like Polar Express for it's message, Moosletoe for its spirit and Who Will Guide My Sleight Tonight? for its humor!

11. What's your favorite holiday product?

I love the 'magic' and excitement the elf brings! This pack has centers and activities all based on elves- plus some extra added bonuses that are sure to have your students 'over the moon' excited!

12. What do you want Santa to bring you this year?

Santa has already brought me my gift this year- my house has undergone a complete remodeling on the outside and all new windows-'Santa' and his 'Mrs. Claus' worked diligently from July 4th till mid November to get it all completed! If he wanted to magically leave a crew to fix the interior, as well, I would not complain! But as for my 'wish list'...a smothering of Christmas kisses and hugs from my love bugs, smiles on their faces and love in their hearts! Health, happiness, joy and love for my immediate family and my 'school children'! And if I was extra nice...maybe that delicious Vera Bradley scarf I saw hanging in the window as I flashed by to snag a Toys R Us door buster deal!

And now for the giveaway...enter below for a chance to winmy #1 Best Seller... Hibernation & Getting Ready for Winter Pack!

(and if you happen to already own it, we can work something out!)

This pack has been on the 'Top 100 Sold' list several times! It has everything you need to teach a unit about hibernation to PreK-1!

In the spirit of Christmas I have also included a freebie just for you! Click the image below to get 'My Book About Dinosaurs' Foldable Emergent Reader & Comprehension Pack!

'Walking With Dinosaurs' comes out on December 20th- that is only 4 days away! Generate some excitement for the movie- and/or send your students home with a copy of the book so that they can read it after seeing the movie over vacation!

If you haven't checked out the previous giveaways make sure you go enter to win all those posted so far:

I absolutely LOVE the sandy feet! I think that will be a new tradition. We have hands, but the feet are sooo cute. I am loving your new blog and can't fathom how you get everything done. I think you might be super woman :)

I didn't get an image to pin on the rafflecopter so I pinned your hibernation pack http://www.pinterest.com/pin/278378820690724231/ and your Elfing Around pack http://www.pinterest.com/pin/278378820690724248/ I hope that was is okay. Enjoy your fruitcake. It does sound yummy!Happy Holidays!

I love "Polar Express". We usually read the book, watch the movie and do a compare/contrast of the two. This year did not go as well as the past. Seems too many have seen the movie now and couldn't resist the urge to constantly tell what was going to happen next. Maybe next years crowd will be a little more receptive and cooperative! LOL